Turn Your Malé Layover Into a Private Yacht Trip
10 min from Velana Airport · Luggage handled · Guaranteed return time
Can I leave Malé airport during a layover?
Yes. The Maldives grants every nationality a free visa on arrival, so you can leave Velana International Airport during a layover. Day Charter Maldives departs Hulhumalé, 10 minutes from the terminal, for private snorkelling, sandbank or sunset trips, and guarantees your return in time for check-in.
Free 30-day visa on arrival for all nationalities · No advance paperwork required
Which trip fits your window?
| Your layover | Recommended trip |
|---|---|
| 4–5 hours | Sunset or lagoon cruise (2 h on the water) |
| 6–8 hours | Snorkel + sandbank express (3–4 h) |
| 9–12 hours | Full Hulhumalé day: two reefs, sandbank picnic |
| Overnight | Evening cruise + next-morning snorkel |
Choose your trip.
Layover Express
- Reef snorkel
- Quick sandbank stop
- 3-hour airport buffer
Snorkel & Sandbank
- Coral reef snorkel
- Sandbank landing & swim
- Refreshments aboard
- 3-hour airport buffer
Sunset Send-Off
- Golden-hour sunset cruise
- Dolphin channels
- Drinks on board
- 2-hour airport buffer
Your boat: the Saxdor 400 GTC
Day Charter Maldives offers private day charters aboard a Saxdor 400 GTC — a 12.5-metre Scandinavian-designed sports yacht carrying up to 12 guests at up to 40 knots, with an enclosed air-conditioned cabin, bow sunpads and a wide swim platform. It departs Hulhumalé, 10 minutes from Malé airport.
How the Snorkel & Sandbank trip works.
Every charter is private and shaped around you — this is one way the day can look.
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T–0:15
Pickup near arrivals
We meet you at an agreed point near the arrivals hall. Luggage goes safely aboard.
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T+0:15
Reef snorkel
45 minutes at a pristine coral reef. Masks, fins and vests on board — no experience needed.
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T+1:15
Sandbank stop
Wade ashore on a private sandbank. Photos, swimming, complete solitude.
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T+2:00
Refreshments aboard
Cold drinks and snacks back on the yacht as we cruise home.
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T+2:45
Return, 3-hour buffer
Back at Hulhumalé with a full three hours before your scheduled departure — more than enough for immigration and boarding.
Prices & what's included.
| Option | Duration | From (per group) |
|---|---|---|
| Layover Express | 3 h | 💬 WhatsApp for price |
| Snorkel & Sandbank | 4 h | 💬 WhatsApp for price |
| Sunset Send-Off | 2 h | 💬 WhatsApp for price |
Included
- ✓ Captain & crew
- ✓ Fuel
- ✓ Snorkelling gear
- ✓ Towels
- ✓ Water & soft drinks
- ✓ Pickup & return to airport area
On request
- + Catering
- + Photographer
- + Luggage storage arrangements (if required)
Everything you need to know.
A minimum 5–6 hour layover works well: we plan every trip with a 3-hour buffer before your onward flight. For the Full-Day Explorer you need 10–12 hours. Message us your flight times on WhatsApp and we'll tell you exactly what fits.
Tell us your bag count on WhatsApp before the trip and we'll arrange it. Luggage travels securely aboard or we direct you to the airport's storage counter. You'll never be wrestling bags on the boat.
No advance visa is required. All nationalities receive a free 30-day Maldives visa on arrival at Velana International Airport — just your passport and onward ticket.
We track your flight number and shift the pickup time automatically. If a delay cuts into the trip window, we adjust the itinerary or, in extreme cases, reschedule or refund — no penalties.
Ask us on WhatsApp — we'll advise on the most practical option for your airline and terminal. Most guests are comfortable returning in swimwear and changing at the airport.
Evening layovers suit our sunset and constellation cruises beautifully. Snorkelling requires daylight, but a 2–3 hour sunset-and-stars cruise works for any layover that includes the early evening.
Check availability for your dates
Tell us your date, group size and what you have in mind. We reply with the right options and a transparent price — no obligation.
